Mario Martinez - Lowrider Original

Lowriding’s early lethal weapon.

By Dustin “volo” Pedder

Lowrider, April 07, 2011

Ever wonder what happened to some of the best-built Lowrider cars or the people who were behind those creations? In Lowrider Magazine’s 30-plus years of existence, some of the custom lowered rides that have graced these pages have definitely been motivational and inspirational, and are seen by most as nothing short of innovative for car builders of all genres. But whatever came of them?

In the late 1980s, one Los Angeles-based shop known as M & M Customs was breaking new ground in the Lowriding scene. The family-owned business consisted of Mario Martinez Sr., his wife, and their son, Mario Martinez Jr. Young Mario had been into Lowriders since the age of 16, and with the knowledge and experience he gained by working at his father’s shop, he had every intention of creating one show-stopping ride for the Lowriding community. In fact, with the help of his dad and family, along with the assistance of his fellow Klique Car Club members, his ’73 Chevy Monte Carlo, known as Lethal Weapon, went on to capture the coveted Lowrider of the Year Award two years in a row (1989 and 1990).

To this day, many people still speak of Lethal Weapon’s impact on the culture, and how it went on to change the face of how the top Lowrider cars are built. This was evident even back then, when Lowrider Magazine awarded Mario with a special Inspirational Award in 1991 for his efforts on Lethal Weapon. Mario was one of the first to go full custom on the underside of a car, having a candy-painted and chrome undercarriage. It was because of Lethal Weapon that all Lowrider of the Year Award recipients at least featured an undercarriage that was just as nice as the top exterior body. It raised the bar for competitors and improved the quality of Lowriding show cars to an unprecedented level.

After winning his second Lowrider of the Year Award in 1990, Mario was determined to come back the following year and win the award a third time. As per the show circuit rules, he would have to make some major changes on Lethal Weapon to be permitted to compete and qualify again. Mario started redoing the entire interior in a two-tone orange and white upholstery. New airbrushed murals were added to the exterior body, and the hydraulic pumps’ chrome finish was replaced with a chrome and gold combo. A couple of custom-made Plexiglas enclosures were installed in the door panels to display rare and working handguns from Mario’s personal gun collection. Mario had to obtain a special permit to show the guns at car shows and the enclosures had to be fitted with locks. It may have seemed risky and too difficult, but Mario took the time and effort to do it right, and the finished outcome received nothing but jaw-dropping feedback from show spectators. Once again, Mario showed that he still had the edge on being innovative and creative.

Before Lowrider Magazine could setup another feature photo shoot on Mario’s redone Lethal Weapon, a life-changing incident happened at a local car show in Pomona, California that would forever change his outlook on Lowriding. A physical fight broke out among a few show spectators right near his Monte Carlo. Some of the display surrounding his ride was knocked over and damaged, and the car barely escaped damage itself.

Mario had his young son (Mario Martinez III) with him at the show and even though his child was unharmed, it upset Mario that these people were acting like this at a family event. Mario vowed to get out of Lowriding for good and decided to focus his attention on his immediate family. He turned to extra-curricular activities such as camping and fishing for well over the next decade. Even Lethal Weapon was no longer of interest to Mario and he literally gave it away at no cost to a friend who lived on the other side of the country in New Jersey. M & M Customs eventually closed and Mario went on to be a general manager at another auto body shop.

How You Been Mario..this is Juan From Aztec Auto Glass at Valley Blvd El sereno..I Heard You Rebuilding Lethal Weapon, I Be honor to help out Again with your custom Glass..got My own shop now J & M auto Glass in La..